Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-09-26
A BUSY DEPARTMENT.
The Journal Man Visits Secretary Young,
Or the State Board of Health-Some of the
Work that he is Doing.


Maine is DR.. A. G. Young, Secretary of the
State Board of Health. Journal
man visited the Doctor in his
"ork SHOP ia the base ment of the State
House recently and saw some of the work
which is being done for the heslth of our
people by this energetic official The Doc
tor was found in the midst of his analysis of
water, which he is making of samples sent
to him from all parts of the State. The
part of the room where this is being done
resembles the labratory of a chemist. 1t is
thoroughly fitted up with the very best appe-
ratus used in this kind of work. The doctor
was using it to analyze acme water from the
well near the house where the
Britt girl died recently. The analysis
was not completed but as far as it had gone,
the indications were that the water was
very bad. A sample of water from Winthrop
also being analysed. was found to be very i'm
pure. sample of it wa. under the micro
scope and showed an abundance of dead organ
ic matter upon which a number of infusoria
were feeding. 1t was a new world presenting
in wonderfully small compass all the varied
phenomena that marks the life of the larger
world which human eyes can see, without
the aid of science. And speaking of view
ing these almost infinitely small animals. a
word should be said concerning
the microscope through which
these observa tions are made. 1t is a superb
instrument imported from Germany last win
ter, especially for this work. The same
thing in this country could not be secured
The State was able to get it at reduction,
and also free from duty, which made it
come at less than half this sum In
his work on the analysis of water the Doctor
has book in which he keeps what he calls
his Field Notes" this is record of the results
of his wosk as it is performed. From these
"Field Notes" two blank forms are filled out,
showing the cumulative results of each
analysis. One Of these is filed
in the office and the other forwarded
to the party who sent the water.
The work of the Board of Health has been
constantly increasing in its scope and there is
now no department in the State that is full
filling a more important mission.
DR.. Young is constantly lsboring to find
out the best methods of doing his work.
During the early part of the
month prior to taking up
his present work the doctor visited Professor
Angel of Derry, N. H., who does the water
analysis of that State, and made q thorough
study of the methods of work employed by
him. He also visited :he Massachusetts
Board of Health at Boston, and examined
the work Of water analysis as carried on there.
With tins experience he returned home
the xnalysis OF water specimens from the
wells in infected districts Of the State. The
Doctor is assisted in his labors by two
young ladies' who have become experienced
and competent aids.
The September number of the Sanitary
Inspector was being mailed by one of these
young ladies when the Journal man made his
visit. 1t is good issue and contains arti-
Giles that should be carefully read in every
home.
The State made no mistake when it instt-
ustsd this Department, for it is one whose
benefcent work is being appreciated
in all sections of Maine.